Sharp! Strong Running 455 V8, Auto, A/C, PS/B w/ Front Disc, Well Documented

1971 Buick Skylark GS Tribute Description

It's still shocking to many classic car enthusiasts that the big, bad muscle car Buicks don't get more respect from the collector car market. With more torque than anything this side of a Chevelle, and a unique combination of luxury and performance, cars like this dialed-in 1971 Buick Skylark GS Tribute should be on every muscle car fan's list of favorites. Featuring a powerful 455 big block V8, good options, and styling for days, this 'Gentleman's Hotrod' may be the best bang-for-your-buck in our showroom right now, so you better read fast...
The relatively unknown prowess of the Buick muscle car can work in your favor, however, because there's a ton of performance in this car for a fraction of the cost of a big block Chevelle or GTO. This car started out as a regular Skylark, but during the restoration, it was upgraded with a built 455 that's quite an impressive horsepower machine. Gray Metallic is the color (an upgrade over the factory Code 53 Cortex Gold in our opinion), and it looks fantastic on the Buick's curves, perfectly fitting with the division's performance mission. Bodywork was done not long ago, and everything fits together nicely, including the fiberglass hood with pins and a faux ram-air setup (part of the GS package). It's been driven a bit and there's some very minor evidence of use and blemishes, but nobody's going to complain about how awesome this girl looks in person. Proper GS 455 badges were procured for the transformation, including the one on the blacked-out GS grille up front, and a newer black vinyl-wrap on the roof was installed that adds a touch of sophistication to this 'Grown-Ups' muscle car. Chrome is quite good throughout, especially the heavy-duty bumpers fore and aft, and the unique red-trimmed rocker panel trim adds a racy look.
The black vinyl interior is in good order - including the sculpted front buckets and matching rear bench seat - reasonably plush tan carpets fully insulate the cabin, and nicely turned-out black door panels with proper GS badge inserts. The original gauges are in good condition inside the factory bezel, and this one features an aftermarket tachometer that was installed to mind the revs, and despite the colors not matching, it fits in quite well. But those gauges only cover the basics, so a set of auxiliary units were neatly integrated under the dash that match the tachometer. The tan dash warms things up a bit inside, a JVC AM/FM/CD is fitted in the factory slot, and the dash pad is in great shape with no cracks or fading to report. And yes, this Skylark was indeed a factory A/C car, and it's blowing cold thanks to an R134a refrigerant upgrade. The wood-rimmed three-spoke steering wheel is in fine condition and includes a Buick horn ring, and it's joined on the column with a shifter that easily falls to hand. Out back, the trunk has plenty of space to accommodate almost any Power Tour gear you'd ever need, and the painted sheetmetal presents well and offers another opportunity to showcase just how solid the bones of this Buick really are.
The original 350 block that powered this Buick is long gone, replaced by a thumping 455 V8 that's been built right and has plenty of horsepower on tap. With a 4-barrel carburetor, performance intake, and long-tube headers it's definitely got the hardware to take some pink slips, and it all feels like it's barely getting broken in. The block's been neatly detailed and is topped with finned Buick valve covers and a chrome Holley open-element air cleaner, and even the wiring for the HEI ignition is neatly organized and the inner fenders and firewall were nicely painted satin black to really make the motor pop. The TH350 3-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly, but most importantly it shrugs off the horsepower going through it with ease and spins a heavy-duty 10-bolt rear end out back adorned with a TA differential cover. Fat sway bars front and rear help this big body devour corners, while power steering and power front disc brakes make each drive an absolute pleasure. Long-tube headers feed a dual exhaust system that sounds awesome and it sits on ever-handsome Buick Mag wheels with staggered 235/60/15 front and 295/50/15 rear BFGoodrich T/A white-letter radials that finish off the killer look.
This is a handsome, fast, well-sorted muscle car from arguably the best year for performance and power. If you've been searching for a clean A-body with a big block, perhaps you've just been looking under the wrong banner. Take a long look at this GS Tribute and see if maybe you'd prefer a little extra luxury with your muscle, then give us a call!